List of Only Fools and Horses home video releases
Only Fools and Horses DVDs have been sold in Regions 1, 2 and 4. Only Fools and Horses started in 1981 and ended in 2003. 64 episodes were broadcast in total. Six shorts were made, four of which were broadcast commercially but none of them have been released on official DVDs.
This is a rough guide to the various cuts made to episodes of Only Fools and Horses released on DVD in the UK. Despite the BBC's claim that many of these edits have been made with the cooperation of John Sullivan's family, his son Jim has criticised them:
“ | The large majority of these [edits] were truly awful, with little, or in most cases no, consideration whatsoever given to story coherence or gags. Many were so bad and poorly executed that they really had to be seen to be believed. Still many more were completely baffling. For example, Del Boy saying "Monchengladbach" to Anna in the episode "From Prussia with Love" had been removed – our only conclusion being that some bright spark at the BBC, unsure of what this actually means, but gripped by the sheer terror of possibly, perhaps, just maybe offending somebody, decided it best to be safe than sorry.
We found the BBC’s attitude towards these edits, and the show in general, to be careless, lazy and indifferent. It was made perfectly clear to us that the BBC has no concern whatsoever for quality and precision; only a bizarre obsession with whether or not they may be offending certain people. Sadly, I expect that the fact that they are, in taking this approach, actually offending a lot of people, has never even crossed their minds. When Dad first envisioned and wrote Only Fools, it was his intention to explore and express the vibrant, multicultural face of (what was then) modern London. Why the BBC has such a problem with this and is so afraid of it that it resorts to censorship is beyond me. All I do know is that they are extremely determined to create problems where there aren’t any.[citation needed] |
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Most cuts date back to the initial VHS releases starting in the early 1990s and were often made due to licensing issues of the music played in the background. Licensing was done separately for broadcast and then, often at a much later date, home video. This meant that sometimes the music granted for use in the broadcast was later refused for use in the home video release.
Some of the edits were made subtly by replacing music, but some were made by removing entire conversations or even scenes. These edited versions are still the only versions available on DVD today.
In the late 2000s, changes in UK music licensing arrangements (also known as 'blanket licensing' deals) meant that music previously replaced for BBC DVD releases (such as the initial release of Doctor Who - Remembrance of the Daleks) could now be reinstated as originally broadcast. However, the BBC would first have to re-submit the episodes to the BBFC to be classified, so effectively although the law has changed, the BBC would still have to formally re-release any relevant episode, and could not simply quietly substitute the already existing DVDs on the shop shelves.
The currently available range of Only Fools And Horses DVDs often carry disclaimers such as on the reverse of The Complete Collection which states, 'For contractual reasons certain edits have been made.' Similar disclaimers can be seen on the reverse of To Hull and Back, Mother Nature's Son, Fatal Extraction and Heroes And Villains. However, there is sometimes no disclaimer where the DVD is known to have been edited.
The most noticeable cuts are detailed below.
Series: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
Specials: 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1996 1 | 1996 2 | 1996 3 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | Story of... |
DVDs[edit]
Series DVDs[edit]
Only Fools and Horses: Series 1[edit] | ||||
Set details | DVD cuts | |||
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MUSIC: "Money" by Pink Floyd is replaced with stock music over the photo montage sequence of Del selling all the Trotters' worldly goods. This has been restored on the iTunes release. This has been restored on the Amazon release. This is edited on the Google Play/YouTube release as per DVD. MUSIC: "Xenon Lights" by Jane Fonda Walkout I is replaced with Wordy Rappinghood by Tom Tom Club. The episode's title is also missing from all the DVDs. | |||
Release dates | ||||
United Kingdom | Australia | United States | ||
20 November 2000 | 3 May 2004 | 7 October 2003 |
Only Fools and Horses: Series 2[edit] | ||||
Set details | DVD cuts | |||
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Release dates | ||||
United Kingdom | Australia | United States | ||
2 April 2001 | 3 May 2004 | 7 October 2003 |
Only Fools and Horses: Series 3[edit] | ||||
Set details | DVD cuts | |||
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MUSIC: The theme to the 1975 film Jaws has been replaced with a similar track when the policeman is walking towards the Trotter brothers in the marketplace. This has been restored on the iTunes release. This has been restored on the Amazon release. This is edited on the Google Play/YouTube release as per DVD. Unfortunately, the iTunes and Amazon releases are still cut to keep in line with the running time. (The scene right at the start of the episode before we see the policeman walk towards the Trotters completely omits Del's dialogue about "Little Prince William having one of his puppies in his nursery in Buck's house"). The following dialogue has been cut, possibly due to sentimental reasons. (Actor Lennard Pearce died in 1984 during the filming of Series 4.)
This has been restored on the iTunes, Google Play/YouTube release. | |||
Release dates | ||||
United Kingdom | Australia | United States | ||
4 June 2001 | 6 May 2005 | 7 October 2003 |
Only Fools and Horses: Series 4[edit] | ||||
Set details | DVD cuts | |||
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The following lines have been cut, possibly due to sentimental reasons. (Actor David Jason's partner Myfanwy Talog died in 1995 from breast cancer.)
This has been restored on the iTunes release. This has been restored on the Amazon release. This is edited on the Google Play/YouTube release as per DVD. The following dialogue has also been cut because of the song "Just the Way You Are". MUSIC:
This has also been restored on the iTunes release. This has also been restored on the Amazon release. This is edited on the Google Play/YouTube release as per DVD. Unfortunately, the iTunes and Amazon releases are still cut to keep in line with the running time. (The scene where Rodney is talking about Big Brenda being The Southern Area Shotput Champion has been completely omitted and two scenes at the end of the episode where Del walks through the front door of the flat is trimmed. We only see him enter the door into the flat and then Del's reaction when Rodney bursts through the door has also been trimmed). | |||
Release dates | ||||
United Kingdom | Australia | United States | ||
1 October 2001 | 6 May 2005 | 12 October 2004 |
Only Fools and Horses: Series 5[edit] | ||||
Set details | DVD cuts | |||
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There are numerous cuts in this episode for timing restrictions.
RODNEY: I AM SORRY. Now can we just drop the matter? ALBERT: Charming, innit. You fight and die for your Country and that's the thanks the younger generation gives ya.
RODNEY: She did... she did look like her actually... from a distance! DEL: Yeah that's right. Three miles and in a thick fog.
RODNEY: No, come on, where are you going? DEL: I'm going to Church.
Rodney is in the garbage chute looking for Biffo's trumpet but 15 seconds have been cut after the slop falls on him. He picks up Albert's kipper, sniffs it and mutters to himself (ALBERT!!!).
VICAR: I know that, I married her, here in this church. Your father wasn't a Catholic? DEL: No, he was a black magic man, I think.
ALBERT: He's got that consignment of orthopeadic sandals coming soon. RODNEY: Yeah, so what? ALBERT: Well, maybe he's got a franchise on a monastery. RODNEY: Maybe.
This has been restored on the iTunes release. This has been restored on the Amazon and Google Play/YouTube release. UK GOLD also show this scene uncut.
Dialogue cut: Various bits of dialogue have been cut when Del, Rodney and Lisa are sitting at the pub table.
Pub Cut 2
Pub Cut 3
The Flat Cuts Back at the flat when Albert has finished his tanning session, a line of Del's dialogue is cut:
As Rodney starts his tanning session, a line of Albert's dialogue is cut:
Dinner with Lisa at the flat table.
All scenes have been restored on the iTunes, Amazon and Google Play/YouTube releases.
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Release dates | ||||
United Kingdom | Australia | United States | ||
30 September 2002 | 4 August 2005 | 12 October 2004 |
Only Fools and Horses: Series 6[edit] | ||||
Set details | DVD cuts | |||
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Several cuts because of music
MUSIC: In the original broadcast version, Simply Red's "It's Only Love" is playing in the background of the Nag's Head in the scene where Rodney and Albert are discussing their concerns for Del's health with Cassandra. In the DVD and video versions, this song has been removed, and no music plays, removing the whole emotion of the scene.
The DVD release of this episode includes 8 minutes of additional footage that was not seen in the original broadcast version. An early cut of the episode was used for the DVD releases by mistake. Even though this seems like good news, unfortunately the DVD is still cut in two places and misses two scenes that were on the original broadcast version, which means the DVD isn't completely uncut either.
We don't see him putting the phone down on the table. 2. (Del's conversation is briefly cut with Dr Robbie Meadows in the hospital.) DR MEADOWS: (DVD) You've been given a warning Del. Nature's way of telling you to eat muesli for breakfast. Cut right down on the drink and the cigars. DEL: (CUT) Whatever you say, Doc! DR MEADOWS: (DVD) Eat wholesome real food, and above all else, learn to relax. Doctor's orders. DEL: (DVD) Right, will do.
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Release dates | ||||
United Kingdom | Australia | United States | ||
22 September 2003 | 4 August 2005 | 11 October 2005 |
Only Fools and Horses: Series 7[edit] | ||||
Set details | DVD cuts | |||
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In the scene where Rodney is holding Trudy up against a car, 20 seconds have been cut after Cassandra drives away. In the original broadcast episode, Rodney walks away and leaves Trudy. She then slides down the side of the car drunk whilst laughing. She then calls for Rodney and this reply is also missing.
This scene has been restored on the Amazon release. This is edited on the Google Play/YouTube release as per DVD. MUSIC: "Mighty Quinn" by Manfred Mann, along with the whole scene of Del and the gang singing along drunkenly to the track has been cut.
This scene has been restored on the Amazon release. This is edited on the Google Play/YouTube release as per DVD.
MUSIC: O Fortuna from Carmina Burana by Carl Orff is replaced when Rodney finds out the baby is a boy and a little later when Damien looks at Rodney for the first time. The replacement is noticeable as it covers the audience laughter.
This is edited on the Amazon/Google Play/YouTube release as per DVD. | |||
Release dates | ||||
United Kingdom | Australia | United States | ||
6 September 2004 | 4 May 2006 | 10 October 2006 |
Christmas special DVDs[edit]
Only Fools and Horses: To Hull and Back[edit] | ||||
Set details | DVD cuts | |||
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Release dates | ||||
United Kingdom | Australia | United States | ||
12 November 2001 | — | — |
Only Fools and Horses: A Royal Flush (The 2004 Version)[edit] | ||||
Set details | DVD cuts | |||
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For the UK DVD release the episode was heavily re-edited (including at least 18 minutes of cuts). An audience laughter track was also added. The back of the DVD release refers to this version as 'The 2004 Version'.
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Release dates | ||||
United Kingdom | Australia | United States | ||
9 May 2005 | — | — |
Only Fools and Horses: The Frog's Legacy[edit] | ||||
Set details | DVD cuts | |||
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Release dates | ||||
United Kingdom | ||||
20 November 2000 | — | — |
Only Fools and Horses: Dates[edit] | ||||
Set details | DVD cuts | |||
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Release dates | ||||
United Kingdom | Australia | United States | ||
6 May 2002 | — | — |
Only Fools and Horses: The Jolly Boys' Outing[edit] | ||||
Set details | DVD cuts | |||
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MUSIC: The beginning of the scene at the Mardi Gras Nightclub has been cut because of the song "Just the Way You Are" performed by Lee Gibson . This has resulted in a 4-5 minute cut in the video and DVD releases. This scene is restored on the iTunes, Amazon and Google Play/YouTube release. UK GOLD also show this scene uncut. | |||
Release dates | ||||
United Kingdom | Australia | United States | ||
6 November 2000 | — | — |
Only Fools and Horses: Rodney Come Home[edit] | ||||
Set details | DVD cuts | |||
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Release dates | ||||
United Kingdom | Australia | United States | ||
14 February 2005 | — | — |
Only Fools and Horses: Miami Twice - The Movie (aka The 1998 Version)[edit] | ||||
Set details | DVD cuts | |||
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For the 1998 video release, the two episodes were edited together as one continuous episode, and a laughter track was added to the second part for consistency. This resulted in the removal of the end credits sequence of Part 1, and the omission of the beginning credits of Part 2 (which originally appeared over the "Summer In The City" track). The final credits were also amended to reflect the cast and crew for both parts. This 1998 version was also the version released on DVD. The original 1991 'movie' version of Oh To Be In England without a laughter track has never been commercially released on home video or DVD, although it has been repeated in TV broadcasts.
MUSIC: O Fortuna from Carmina Burana by Carl Orff is replaced when Rodney watches the Vicar christening Damien and also later on in the episode when Rodney sees Damien in his cot staring at him.
All scenes are restored in the iTunes, Amazon and Google Play/YouTube release. The American Dream is uncut on the iTunes, Amazon and Google Play/YouTube release.
MUSIC: "Rockin' All over the World" by Status Quo is replaced by "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears For Fears at the start of the episode where Del and Rodney are on the plane. Most dialogue is intact apart from a brief section when Del removes his headphones. On the TV broadcast, he says, 'Oh'. On the DVD, the sound of him laughing at the start of the scene is noticeably repeated in its place.
RODNEY: God knows. Friendly sort of bloke wasn't he? DEL: Yeah. SAL: “Vacation.” RICO: “Oh vacation! Yeah, yeah, I thought as much. Well, welcome to America.” DEL: Yeah, “well thanks very much, son.” TONY: “We don’t get many Australians round here.” DEL: “Look, we are not Australian, right?” RODNEY: “We are British.” RICO: “British! We love the British! Are you, erm, living locally?” DEL: “Well no. No, we’ve got one of them camper things out there in the street, you know. We just whack our bags and what have you in the back and off we go. (Tony talks quietly to Lurch. Lurch leaves the club)” PAULY: “It’s the best way to see the country.” DEL: “Yeah, well, I mean – you can’t whack it, can you?” RICO: “No, like you say, you can’t whack it. So can I get you guys a drink.” DEL: “Er, well, er no… ” SAL: ” I don’t think this is wise, Rico.” RODNEY: “You see the thing is, we’ve got to drive over to the camping-site…sorry the camper-park, before it closes see.” PAULY: “Oh come on, you must have time for one!” DEL: “Well, we can have one, Rodney, what do you reckon, eh?” RODNEY: “Yeah, go on then.” DEL: “Yeah we’ll have a drink with you – let’s introduce ourselves. This is my brother Rodney and my name’s Del – that’s er, short for Derek.” RICO: “Hi, Rodney…Derek. I’m Rico. This is my cousin Salvatore and our friend Pauly”. SAL: “Are you enjoying your stay so far?” DEL: “Oh yes, er, great. No, we’re having a blinding time.” RICO: “Why don’t you join us?” Above scenes are all restored on the iTunes, Amazon and Google Play/YouTube release. Oh To Be in England is mostly intact on iTunes, Amazon and Google play/YouTube, but has scenes of dialogue cut on the plane.
2. Scenes of dialogue cut when we first meet Don O'Chetti and he refers to Rico about living in San Quentin. 3. A brief cut after Barry Gibb says "I don't need all this". We don't see Del saying to Rodney "Yeah I think you are right, Rodney. It weren't him, it was probably the gardener". Rodney replies with "I told ya". 4. Scenes have been shortened in the en-suite when Rodney says to Del "How did you get in here"? "I came through that door, it's a blinding invention". It cuts straight to Rodney saying "How did you get changed so quickly"? These cuts are to keep with the running times, so unfortunately this episode is still cut on the iTunes release even though most scenes have been restored. | |||
Release dates | ||||
United Kingdom | Australia | United States | ||
19 May 2003 | — | — |
Only Fools and Horses: Mother Nature's Son[edit] | ||||
Set details | DVD cuts | |||
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MUSIC: O Fortuna from Carmina Burana by Carl Orff is replaced when Rodney sees Damien's invisible reflection in the mirror at the start of the episode. MUSIC: "Money - (That's What I Want)" by The Beatles – has been replaced by an instrumental tune. These have both been restored on the iTunes release. O Fortuna from Carmina Burana by Carl Orff Is replaced in both the Amazon and Google Play/YouTube versions as well as Money by The Beatles. | |||
Release dates | ||||
United Kingdom | Australia | United States | ||
24 May 2004 | — | — |
Only Fools and Horses: Fatal Extraction[edit] | ||||
Set details | DVD cuts | |||
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MUSIC: O Fortuna from Carmina Burana by Carl Orff is replaced when Rodney & Cassandra see Damien at the foot of their bed. This has been restored on the iTunes release. UK GOLD also show this scene uncut. | |||
Release dates | ||||
United Kingdom | Australia | United States | ||
12 July 2004 | — | — |
Only Fools and Horses: Heroes and Villains[edit] | ||||
Set details | DVD cuts | |||
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MUSIC: O Fortuna from Carmina Burana by Carl Orff is replaced when (in the dream sequence) the adult Damien looks at Rodney and says "Uncle Rodney!" The replacement is noticeable as it covers the audience laughter. This has been restored on the iTunes release. UK GOLD also show this scene uncut. | |||
Release dates | ||||
United Kingdom | Australia | United States | ||
9 February 2004 | — | — |
Only Fools and Horses: Modern Men[edit] | ||||
Set details | DVD cuts | |||
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Release dates | ||||
United Kingdom | Australia | United States | ||
9 February 2004 | — | — |
Only Fools and Horses: Time On Our Hands[edit] | ||||
Set details | DVD cuts | |||
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MUSIC: The original broadcast version features Our House by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. The DVD version replaces this with a version sung by Helen Reddy. Also, the lyrics "With two cats in the yard" is changed to "With two dogs in the yard". UK GOLD show this scene uncut. | |||
Release dates | ||||
United Kingdom | Australia | United States | ||
9 February 2004 | — | — |
Only Fools and Horses: If They Could See Us Now[edit] | ||||
Set details | DVD cuts | |||
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Release dates | ||||
United Kingdom | Australia | United States | ||
11 November 2002 | — | — |
Only Fools and Horses: Strangers on the Shore[edit] | ||||
Set details | DVD cuts | |||
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Release dates | ||||
United Kingdom | Australia | United States | ||
17 November 2003 | — | — |
Only Fools and Horses: Sleepless in Peckham[edit] | ||||
Set details | DVD cuts | |||
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Release dates | ||||
United Kingdom | Australia | United States | ||
4 October 2004 | — | — |
The Story of Only Fools and Horses[edit] | ||||
Set details | DVD cuts | |||
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Release dates | ||||
United Kingdom | Australia | United States | ||
7 April 2003 | — | — |
Compilation DVDs[edit]
Three compilation DVDs were issued in 2004:
Only Fools and Horses: All The Best Volume 1
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Only Fools and Horses: All The Best Volume 2
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Only Fools and Horses: All The Best Volume 3
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iTunes Downloads[edit]
Along with series 1-4 being released on iTunes (minus their Christmas specials), the following collections were also released. Some featured material that had previously been cut for VHS/DVD:
The Best Of Only Fools And Horses
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The Best Of Christmas Only Fools and Horses
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Only Fools and Horses: Classic Del Boy Episodes
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Only Fools and Horses: Classic Rodney Episodes
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UK VHS Releases[edit]
Between 1991 and 2004, all the episodes and specials of Only Fools and Horses have been released on video cassettes by the BBC with some episodes and specials containing the same cuts as the DVD releases. All the video cassettes were finally out of print in 2006.
VHS Title | Catalogue Number | Release Date | Episodes |
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Only Fools and Horses: Big Brother |
BBCV 4678 | 7 October 1991 |
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Only Fools and Horses: The Second Time Around |
BBCV 4679 | 7 October 1991 |
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Only Fools and Horses: The Long Legs of the Law |
BBCV 4702 | 4 November 1991 |
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Only Fools and Horses: The Yellow Peril |
BBCV 4703 | 4 November 1991 |
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Only Fools and Horses: Homesick |
BBCV 4747 | 1 April 1992 |
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Only Fools and Horses: May the Force Be with You |
BBCV 4748 | 1 April 1992 |
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The Very Best of Only Fools and Horses: Tea for Three |
BBCV 4849 | 5 October 1992 |
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The Very Best of Only Fools and Horses: Yuppy Love |
BBCV 4855 | 5 October 1992 |
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Only Fools and Horses: The Complete Series 1 |
BBCV 4933 | 1993 | Part 1
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Only Fools and Horses: The Complete Series 2 |
BBCV 5137 | 1993 | Part 1
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The Very Best of Only Fools and Horses: Danger UXD |
BBCV 5150 | 1 November 1993 |
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Only Fools and Horses: Chain Gang |
BBCV 5296 | 6 June 1994 |
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Only Fools and Horses: The Complete Series 3 |
BBCV 5388 | 19 September 1994 | Part 1
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Only Fools and Horses: The Jolly Boys Outing |
BBCV 5421 | 7 November 1994 |
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Only Fools and Horses: A Chance of a Lunchtime |
BBCV 5570 | 1 October 1995 |
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Only Fools and Horses: To Hull and Back |
BBCV 5697 | 30 October 1995 |
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Only Fools and Horses: The Frog's Legacy |
BBCV 5799 | 1 October 1996 |
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Only Fools and Horses: Dates |
BBCV 5909 | 1 October 1996 |
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Only Fools and Horses: Strained Relations |
BBCV 6104 | 6 October 1997 |
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Only Fools and Horses: Heroes and Villains |
BBCV 6363 | 6 October 1997 |
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Only Fools and Horses: Modern Men |
BBCV 6364 | 20 October 1997 |
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Only Fools and Horses: Time On Our Hands |
BBCV 6365 | 3 November 1997 |
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Only Fools and Horses: A Royal Flush |
BBCV 6370 | 2 February 1998 |
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Only Fools and Horses: Watching the Girls Go By |
BBCV 6252 | 1 June 1998 |
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Only Fools and Horses: Miami Twice - The Movie |
BBCV 6598 | 12 October 1998 |
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Only Fools and Horses: Rodney Come Home |
BBCV 6707 | 1 February 1999 |
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Only Fools and Horses: Fatal Extraction |
BBCV 6716 | 7 June 1999 |
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Only Fools and Horses: The Complete Series 6 |
BBCV 6817 | 4 October 1999 | Part 1
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Only Fools and Horses: Mother's Nature's Son |
BBCV 6792 | 15 November 1999 |
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Only Fools and Horses: The Complete Series 5 |
BBCV 6997 | 1 May 2000 | Part 1
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Only Fools and Horses: The Complete Series 7 |
BBCV 7015 | 30 October 2000 | Part 1
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Only Fools and Horses: The Complete Series 1-7 |
BBCV 7082 | 30 October 2000 | Series 1, Part 1
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Only Fools and Horses: Selection Box |
BBCV 7051 | 26 March 2001 |
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Only Fools and Horses: The Complete Series 4 |
BBCV 7026 | 5 March 2001 | Part 1
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Only Fools and Horses: If They Could See Us Now |
BBCV 7289 | 11 November 2002 |
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Only Fools and Horses: The Complete Specials |
BBCV | 2002 | |
The Story of Only Fools and Horses |
BBCV 7433 | 14 April 2003 |
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Only Fools and Horses: Strangers on the Shore |
BBCV 7292 | 17 November 2003 |
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Only Fools and Horses: Sleepless in Peckham |
BBCV 7293 | 4 October 2004 |
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See also[edit]
References[edit]
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